Cold Season Approaching!

Just some final notes on the season. I would chalk this growing season as a success on both the learning side and production side.

I had many varieties this year which attributed to a nice group of colors in my tomato garden.  I do not think I will grow green tomatoes again as I did not get many that I enjoyed.  The Black Krim produced the best.  Next season I will try out Brandywine, as a member of Tomatoville sent me some seeds.

Looking forward to next growing season.

The Frog Protector of my Garden

I went to the garden today and checked on my incoming tomatoes.  I thought this guy was some bird poop or something mushy.  He sure was mushy.  He has eyes too.  Froggy Froggy, Guardian of the Tomato.

Mema's Picking and Tomato Pie

Mema came to visit and requested to do the tomato picking.  Here is what she and Chaney picked.

Tomato Pie (Round 2)

This time I used the following:

• Approx 6-8 tomatoes (varied sizes)
• 1/3 of a Vidalia Onion
• 2 Yellow Summer Squash
• 4 cloves of garlic pressed
• 1 block cream cheese
• 1 redi made pie crust
• basil & oregano
• 1 package of shredded Mozzarella Cheese
• Bread Crumbs
• Feta Cheese crumbles

This one turned out real nice.  Very good flavor.  Not as Garlicky as last time.  I did forget the spinach from the store.

Next one I will try fresh basil, maybe even Ricotta cheese.

On a side note, my seed saving is underway and doing well.

Tomato Pie...Mmmm Mmmmm Good!

Tomato Pie is one of the best ways to enjoy your tomatoes in bulk.

Ingredients:
Tomatoes (Black Krim, Green Zebra, Anna Russian, Borgo Cellano)
1 Vidalia Onion
1 Block frozen chopped Spinach (can use fresh)
1 Block of Cream Cheese
1 head of garlic (peeled and crushed)
1 redi made pie crust
Feta Cheese
bread crumbs
shredded mozzarella cheese

Place pie shell in tin
Soften or melt cream cheese and mix with garlic
Spread cream cheese mixture into bottom of crust
add layer of tomatoes (sliced)
layer of spinach
sprinkle feta
another layer of tomato
layer of onion
sprinkle feta
another tomato layer
sprinkle top with mozzarella shreds and bread crumbs.

Bake 350 for 45-60 minutes.

Very good.  Very garlicy.  Add basil less garlic.  Give it a whirl.  You cannot go wrong.

Starting to Save Seeds for Next Year

Here is a pic of my most bountiful harvest.  Finally was able to get a couple 

Amish Paste (top right oval shape), only have had 2 ripen from this plant.

As to the title of the post, Its Seed Saving time.  I am saving as many as I can, but will probably only plant 4 types next year (so I say :) ).  

Starting from left to right:

Black Krim: This has been one of my most producing plants with large fruit too.  Very pleased and I enjoy the flavor too.  Very natural tasting and not scary although people question dark tomatoes.

MYSTERY: Yes this one is a mystery.  I had planted Mortgage Lifter and Ace 55 in my garden.  I pulled one ACE 55 for issues with growth (see earlier posts about shriveled mini plant), and the other that I thought was ACE 55 has turned out to be Green Zebra. (Labeling is very important, I should heed my own advice).

Hartmans Yellow Gooseberry:  So far this guy has to be #1 on my list.  Its produced so many tomatoes and is very healthy.  I have 3 of these guys growing currently.  I will definitely do this one again.  Yum Yum!

(Pink) Oxheart:  I think this is a hold over from last years plants I got from Perry.  It is an oxheart shape but more red than pink.  The only other possibility is Anna Russian.

Garden is doing well. Some mistakes but doing well!!!

Pic of the Growth of the Garden  

Harvest from 7/16/11

Alien Tomato

Alien Tomato 2

I cut open the alien fruit.  Not much to it.  Very odd, almost like 2 tomatoes in 1.

Look what I picked Daddy!

Chaney is very excited to pick tomatoes with me.  She always wants to go and bring them in.  These two little ones she had suffered a terrible fate of kid hand squashing, but none the  less I was able to taste one.

Here are some misc pics of recent harvests

The two up top are Black Krim (don't mind the banana)

Although small, below are from front left to right:

Oxheart (not big), Hartmans Yellow Gooseberry, 

Anna Russian or Borgo Cellano (I don't know which was which)

Mandy's Sunflower from seed

Black Krim sliced ready to eat! Yummy

On a side note.  I have started my seed saving project for next year with Black Krim.  I will most likely try to get seeds from everything I have planted, however next years planting will be different and limited to a few types as opposed to almost 8 varieties.